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Monday, September 27, 2010

September Austin Highlights

This blog post is two weeks late, but better late than not, it seems to me. Many projects in the works...

I'll start with these to photos of Alex that were significant. He joined the Cub Scouts. This was a good photo taken at the first meeting. I have my own, but this one is better.


Kaylee got a sister shirt, same trip as getting the Cub Scout uniform: My brother is a Cub Scout. She wore it all the next day, even to school. Very proud.


While there, I got to walk/drive Alex to school each day and pick him up in the afternoon. Fun! On the last day, he had a special story to tell. His second tooth to come out had been real loose over the weekend - it decided it was time to come out at school. He was sent to the nurse's office. Must happen fairly regularly, because he came home with his tooth in a little white "Tooth Container" on a necklace!


He was pretty proud, and told the story several times, to each of us. Arrion was supposed to have gone to conferences in Houston while Ben had two long days and evenings of meetings at his work in Austin with the University of Texas. We had gone down "to cover" the kids activities! However, the day before we arrived, Arrion sprained her ankle and was on crutches all the time. No conference, but we were there to help out!

I also had the privilege of driving Kaylee to her pre-school at the Circle C Development Center each day, as well... in between the trips with Alex! Got to know her teachers well. She goes both MWF and TR, so she gets Music Guy twice - a local Austin musician. She really remembers and sings the songs he teaches. GREAT!

Off to pre-school; Kaylee seat in the back!


Here is a great photo of Arrion, with her ankle brace, and Alex and Kaylee!


Kaylee liked to relax and watch TV when she got home from pre-school:


Another day...


Alex usually had some homework; then some free time. Here with Grandma and his DS.


Kaylee in her Princess outfit...


We had a mini-birthday party for Arrion - birthday in a week or so...


 We had silly playtimes, of course...


As well as some quiet times...




It was a great week!  ;-)

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Airport and Humming Bird Updates

Airport and Humming Bird Updates


Last Saturday, Annette and Larry left from the Branson Airport after a visit of several days here after their trips to Illinois to see his family and to Toledo, Ohio, for the wedding of Annette's long-time friend, Denise. We played more games, the girls shopped... but I didn't take any other photos. Here is as they were getting out at the Branson Airport.


Nancy was just saying goodbye, not leaving....  ;-)

Humming Bird update - we still have three, and possibly a fourth. They were real active this morning, so I caught two at the kitchen window, I think the male and female... while the smaller one, a child perhaps, was at the living room window feeder. Early it seemed a fourth... but I can never catch them all four a feeders at the same time... maybe, another day!





It is cooler today. Had just a tad of rain. It is a very nice day!  ;-)

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Board Game in Branson

Continuing Annette's birthday celebration, tonight,  we played a new board game, new to us, anyway, called "Ticket to Ride." Nancy gets credit for locating it and having it available to play.


Here we are in the middle of the game. We are learning the strategy, as we go. Took about 2 hours, for the first time around, with a learning curve. Thanks to Larry for taking the photo.


Check it out for yourself!


It was a very good day - even a bit cooler, finally!  ;-) mid-80s!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Annette's 50th Birthday in Branson

Annette's Birthday Dinner was really good, having been in the crock pot all day, just for her: Roast Beef, Potatoes and Carrots, even a little wine!


Allison brought party hats along with the Happy Birthday banner... !


Excellent cake - ice cream and strawberries as well...


... and gifts, from her wish list...


Larry looks a bit like an Ozarks "Baldknobber!" - check link, if you don't know what means... it has nothing to do with amount of hair, by the way!  ;-)

They had arrived at the Branson Airport in the afternoon on a Frontier flight from Denver (and SLC). Our first flight into Branson (opened May 2009 - only privately financed airport in the country!) only about 15 minutes from the cabin!


Inside, looking to the left.... car rental, baggage claim... nice "Dogwood Canyon" decor!


Looking to the right... ticketing, security...


Ticketing area...


Security...


Straight ahead, is where the passengers arrive. Curious choice, but really works nice.


Arrival. Mom hugging Annette, Larry looking on. Other folks waiting, as well...


It was a very good day... not even quite as hot as it has been!  ;-)

Sunday, August 22, 2010

2nd Hummingbird Feeder at Cabin

We installed a second Hummingbird Feeder at the cabin, this one in the front of the house, to pair with the one around the corner in front of the kitchen window. We've seen two birds, regular visitors. We both think there may be a third, but I've not seen three at a time, but we'll keep watching.










See the HB on the fly, to the right...

It was another very good day - but, now 45 days at 90 or more...  !!  ;-)

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

4th day Austin Aug2010 photos

4th day Austin Aug2010 photos

Grandma and Arrion took Alex to Lego Store, and I stayed with Kaylee. Among (many) other things, we did Playdough - she made a pizza, I think...  ;-)


Later, Kaylee had cowboy hats out, and Alex wore the black one and go his sword - seems to be doing Zorro type poses. Took lots of action shot, only a few decent photos out of it - love digital!


Kaylee in her hat...

With Grandma...


... and with Grandpa. I'm really happy... it just doesn't show this time... sorry!  ;-)


Arrion got her hat, as well... didn't realize she still had it on.


Later, I was up in her room with Kaylee. She was putting her dollie to sleep. Talking to her softly, continuously: "bedtime, ok... go to sleep, ok... blankey, ok..."




Then, Kaylee decided it was time to change her clothes... she dresses herself, mostly, now...


... and, came out pretty well!


Alex was working on a lego house, in his room, at his lego workstation...



It was another very good day!  ;-)

Monday, August 9, 2010

3rd day Austin August 2010 photos

3rd day Austin August 2010 photos

Alex and Kaylee playing with the Thomas Train "tent" in the house - more like a Chinese Dragon drill, or something...


Kaylee's feet below are cute!


Grandma playing "cat and mouse game" - with her hands full!


A new 'blow up' ball house game - I think Kaylee was supposed to be ready for bed...


Another view...



Another very nice day!  ;-)